Ah, New Year's. A time of change. A time to modify some of our behaviors. A time to make resolutions that we actually plan to keep this year.But before we jump in to a whole new set of self-created challenges, let's take some time to reflect. Grab a cup of your favorite warm, comforting beverage (mine's hot cocoa) and your journal. Journaling not your thing? Try getting on the phone with a dear friend. Or perhaps just read through these questions and answer them to yourself.

Learning from 2014:

What were some of your favorite moments?

What challenged you?

How did you spend your time?

What are you proud of?

What lesson will you hold dear?

What changed?

Who was significant in your life?

What were you loving this year?

What will you be glad to leave behind?

What do you want to remember?

What do you wish to celebrate?

In one word, 2014 was the year of…

And moving onward... Planning for 2015:

What do you want to invite into your life this year?

What would you like to learn?

Who do you want to become?

What's one thing you'd love to accomplish?

What word or phrase will guide you through this year?

What do you want to be celebrating next December?

In Buddhism, we always talk about how the present moment is the only one we have. Sometimes, the present moment is best used in learning from the past and planning for the future. Happy New Year!

Thanks to Jamie Ridler for her kind permission to use these questions, which first appeared in her newsletter as part of “Honouring and Celebrating This Year of Your Life.” She has a podcast on the topic, where she guides us through these questions.